Hello to all the Potter nerds out there! I love the books; they are true work of genius. But I feel like Harry could have done more with his life after the war, and I am a public Harmony fan. I have nothing against Harry and Ginny (in fact the story will start out with them together), but I feel like Harry and Hermione just work better together. Though this won't be a fluff story; I plan to have action, adventure, betrayal, and everything in a good book. And I digress... Anyway I hope you like the story! I will try to update at least every other day (no promises).
All Harry Potter Characters, objects, and locations are property of JK. Rowling. I only own my OC's.
Part One: The Aftermath
Chapter One: The Morning After
"Are you sure?" said Ron. There was the faintest trace of longing in his voice as he looked at the Elder Wand. "I think Harry's right,"
said Hermione quietly. "That wand's more trouble than it's worth" said Harry "And quite honestly," he turned away from the painted portraits, thinking now only of the four-poster bed lying waiting for him in Gryffindor Tower, and wondering whether Kreacher might bring him a sandwich there, "I've had enough trouble for a lifetime."
The next morning, for the first time that entire year, Harry Potter had a deep, dreamless sleep. For a few moments Harry just stayed relaxing in a Gryffindor four-poster bed, feeling his relief wash over his bruised, exhausted body. He's gone… Harry thought to himself. It's all over… I lived. But who didn't?
Suddenly Harry's relief was immediately replaced with grief and guilt. Thoughts of the fallen plague his vision. Colin Creevy with his annoying camera, Remus and Tonks, and poor Teddy. Teddy… Here Harry couldn't help but flinch. Teddy lost his parents to the war, just like he did. Then Harry thought of Fred; Fred, who gave him his Father's Map, beat out Umbridge in fifth year, the older brother of one of his best friends. He couldn't even imagine what the Weasley siblings, and especially George, were going through if he felt this much anguish over Fred's death, even Mrs. Weasley. Harry then remembered her boggart from Grimmauld Place, and Harry felt more guilt (if that was even possible) over all the pain he cost just because he wasn't powerful enough.
Suddenly a voice from the corner of the room said gently, "Harry I can see what you're doing…you shouldn't blame yourself for all the casualties. Everyone who fought was prepared to fight for you, for the wizarding world!"
Harry didn't even need to get up to know exactly who spoke to him. Hermione. Slowly getting up Harry opened his eyes to see his best friend sitting on a chair next to him with a book in her lap. "Hermione I-"Harry began.
"No Harry! You always do this to yourself!" Hermione interrupted now quite flustered. "It was not your fault anyone died! The only people who are to blame for this are Voldemort and his Death Eaters. But you-you killed him! If anything, Harry, you avenged their deaths. Colin, Tonks, Remus, and Fre-"Here Hermione herself had to choke down a sob before continuing. "Fre-e-d wouldn't want you depressed over their deaths."
Harry now looked at Hermione's face. Fading tear stains were present on her cheeks, and her hair was as bushy and out of place as the first time he met her; her eyes though were different. Now her brown eyes showed traces of happiness. Something Harry hadn't seen for a long time. And despite feeling uncomfortable about talking of his now dead friends, Harry knew what Hermione said was true; they would want him to be happy. So with that thought in mind Harry did the first thing he had in months, and smiled at Hermione Granger.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"What are you doing up here Hermione?" Harry asked. He was now lying up in his bed comfortably and staring at his friend. Hermione seemed hesitant on how she wanted to answer this. "Well… you see Harry, you've been asleep for a day." "WHAT!" Harry yelled. Had he really slept that long! It felt like a few minutes at most to him.
"Yes, and it's perfectly understandable since you for that matter haven't had a proper sleep in months." Hermione said a matter-of –factly. "But what about the remaining death eaters, and giants! Surely they had to be captured. And who took care of the wounded, and the castle! It must still be in disarray." Harry countered. Looking around the room Harry could tell it had not been cleaned. Two of the five beds were in shambles, one window was shattered, and the bathroom was flooded. "Relax Harry." Hermione said soothingly.
"You're right. While we were all asleep Professor McGonagall and Kingsley gathered the remaining Order of Phoenix members to capture the death eaters. Neville told me that most surrendered willingly, including the Malfoys. The only real trouble was from the giants. Fortunately Hagrid and Graup were able to convince them to stop fighting and return to their homes. Madam Pomfrey and other healers successfully moved the more severe patients to St. Mungo's while the remaining were alright after a simple potion. Also the house elves cleaned most of the castle happily. They seemed pleased they wouldn't be under the Carrow twin's cruelty anymore. Though the more serious damage still hasn't been addressed; they did want to clean this room but I told them I would clean it myself to give them a rest, that and I wanted to make sure you got the sleep you needed. Ron and I woke up just while they were doing this, so we slept for about 8 hours. Then we went down to the Great Hall got caught up with all that had happened. Most of the families had left already to go celebrate or mourn in private, but many people stayed for a lovely feast. Of course this made Ron happy, but soon the excitement wore off and he left with the rest of the Weasleys'. He and Ginny wanted to stay and wait for you to wake up, but I told them they should be with their family right now and that I would sit with you." Hermione finished.
Harry took a few moments to process this information. He felt relieved that the remaining giants and death eaters were contained, and he was certainly happy the injured got the help they need. But Harry couldn't help feel a bit disappointed Ginny didn't wait for him. At this thought Harry silently berated himself. She just lost a brother; she should be with her family, not me. "Why didn't you go with Ron? You didn't need to stay with me." Harry responded.
Hermione blushed and answered, "Well he wanted me to go to, but I thought I'd be intruding on a family moment. Plus I knew you shouldn't be alone when you woke up." Harry showed a weak smile. Leave it to Hermione to still put his needs above her own. Abruptly Harry's stomach started to grumble, and he began to think getting some breakfast wouldn't be such a bad idea.
Just as if reading his thoughts Hermione said, "Why don't we go get some food Harry. Merlin knows the last time you had a decent meal." Harry nodded his head sheepishly and began adjusting himself to stand up he noticed something. "Uhh.. Hermione, would you mind leaving for a moment? I sort of forgot to get boxers before I went to sleep" Harry said embarrassed. Hermione's eyes briefly traveled to Harry's lower section covered by the blankets, and turning a Weasley shade of red looked away and mumbled. "Oh off course Harry… I'll just wait in the common room until you are ready." With that Hermione got up with her book and walked quickly out of the boy's dormitories.
After Hermione left Harry went into the bathroom and performed a quick Reparo spell on the shower and got in. The water was mostly cold, but Harry hardly cared. It was the first time he took a real shower in weeks (he did not count their plunge from the dragon as a bath). Once getting out Harry changed into clothes he had to transfigure (he prayed that he would be able to access real clothing before his outfit changed back to a towel).
Before leaving to rejoin Hermione in the common room Harry took a quick look at himself in the mirror. Somehow, he had changed from the man he had seen in Aberfoth's mirror just days before. His hair was still as unruly as it should be, and his form was still skinny and malnourished from the months in the tent, but his eyes were different. Now like Hermione's they didn't just show pain, they showed hope. And Harry couldn't help but notice that his scar didn't burn. Practically skipping out of the dorms Harry went to the Gryffindor common room. But once there Hermione was nowhere in sight. "Hermione?" Harry called, loud enough so if she was in the girl's dormitories she would hear. After hearing no sound he made his way to the portrait hole. But once opening it he saw Hermione there holding up slices of toast, and in a déjà-vu fashion said, "Want to go for a walk?"
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Once safely out of the castle, Harry and Hermione swiftly pulled off the invisibility cloak. The outside of the castle had some debris and rubble still spurred around, but mostly the path was clear for the duo's stroll. At first Harry and Hermione walked silently together eating the toast each engrossed in their own thoughts. Harry couldn't help but notice that Hagrid's Hut was all but incinerated; he felt another hint of guilt as he thought of his giant friend. He knew how hard it was to see a friend die in front of you (even if that friend survived). Harry then made a mental note to go find him later.
He also noticed that the Weeping Willow was missing a few spiky clubs and branches. It also was exhausted from the battle as it didn't even flinch as Harry and Hermione moved to sit under it. Once on the ground Harry got a better view of the castle. He could tell some of the towers and windows would need to be repaired, and that some of the brick walls collapsed. Though other than that Harry was pleased most of the other damage had been taken care of.
Instinctively Harry moved his hand to grab another piece of toast, but it seemed he caught Hermione's hand, which was also reaching for it. The pair immediately moved their hands away from each other; while they had held hands plenty of times before it seemed different now, almost forbidden.
Hermione was the first to speak. "You should have the last piece, Harry; you need it more than I do." Harry grinned sheepishly at her and grabbed the piece of bread. But once he had it Harry tore the toast in half, and gave the slightly larger piece to Hermione. "You seemed to have forgotten Hermione," Harry said. "That one Gryffindor trait is chivalry."
Hermione laughed lightly at this and replied, "Well of course, and nobody is as true a Gryffindor as you." Here Harry moved his head down and mumbled something barely audible; but Hermione had heard it. "I'm not that brave 'Mione." Hermione automatically responded, "Don't be daft Harry! You are the kindest and bravest person I know. What on earth would make you think otherwise?"
Hermione seemed to have struck a nerve because Harry turned his face directly to her and said with as much anger as he could muster, "Hermione I'm not brave, and do you want to know why? Because I was scared! Terrified actually when I had to go to the forest and die. I was scared when I had to face Voldemort, and I was terrified when all of my friends were risking their lives to fight! Does that answer your question Hermione?"
Embarrassed, Harry quickly moved his head to look down at the ground again. Hermione then gently placed her arm around Harry and whispered in his ear, "Harry, being afraid doesn't make you a coward. Having courage is continuing even though you're afraid! Do you know anyone else who would have walked into that forest knowing they were about to die? Anyone who would have even dared to duel Voldemort one on one! So don't you ever say you are not a Gryffindor again Harry Potter!" and turning away from Harry, Hermione said mostly to herself, "And don't leave me again."
It was said so quietly that it could have been mistaken as a bird, but Harry knew what she had admitted. Suddenly Harry realized what he had done to his Hermione. I-I left her, I didn't even tell her I was leaving, I never said goodbye to her, Harry thought to himself. It was true, Harry before this had not thought about what he had put his friends through when they thought he was dead. Hermione saw me one moment going to Dumbledore's office and then dead at Voldemort's feet the next! How could I have been so inconsiderate! Soon Harry began to remember what else she sacrificed for him. She gave up her parents and whole identity for me! She stayed when no one else would, and she would have died for me without thinking twice! And yet I didn't even look at her when I left to the forest.
Then Harry did something he almost never did, he wrapped Hermione in a bear-hug that rivaled her own. "Hermione! I can't even begin to say how sorry I am! I-I should have told you where I was going-You deserved to know that much. I mean, without you I would be dead ten times over! Without you I would probably still be in that bloody tent. I know this will never ever be enough but all I can give now is a thank you. Thank You for following me, giving up your life, and your parents for me. I never wanted you to do that for me, but you did it anyway. Please know that I love you Hermione and just how much I need you." Harry blurted out with fiery passion.
Hermione sat there dumbfounded for a few moments. Sure Harry said the occasional 'thank you' and 'sorry' when it was called for, but she had never seen him this passionate about his apology before. She couldn't deny how much it hurt when she saw Harry dead. I felt as though a million Crucios' were being thrown at her at once, and suddenly all that she loved didn't matter anymore: Ron, her parents, books…. The only thing that mattered in that moment was Harry, and he was gone.
Chocking back a sob Hermione tackled Harry equally as forceful and said, "Oh Harry! You don't know how much that means to me! I didn't know what to do when I saw you d-de-ead! It was like nothing mattered anymore. I love you too Harry and don't you ever forget that! And of course I forgive you, you did what you thought was right at the time even though it was bloody stupid! Don't worry about my parents either Harry. I sent them to Australia and kept tracked of where they were. I should be able to reverse their memories easily. I'm just afraid they will be mad at me." Harry moved back from the hug a bit to look into Hermione's eyes and with pure determination in his own eyes replied, "Don't worry about that Hermione. I don't know how much you have told them over the years about me, but I will come with you to Australia and help tell your parents the truth..the REAL truth. Even if I have to battle 5 more Voldemort's." Hermione smiled gratefully at Harry. For the rest of the morning, the pair would lay in each other's arm, happy their friendship had survived the war.
So that's the first chapter! Hope you enjoyed it. Please review I would love to hear your comments.